CLEVELAND, Ohio - Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson will start today against the Browns despite being questionable with a right knee injury.

It sets up a classic matchup between Johnson, arguably the best receiver in the game, and Browns cornerback Joe Haden at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Johnson tested the knee in pregame warmups and looked quick and fluid in a ladder agility drill and running routes. He caught some deep passes from Matthew Stafford and didn't appear to be favoring the knee, which kept him out of last week's 22-9 loss to the Packers. He also looked smooth coming out of his breaks.

The Browns thought they might have linebacker Jabaal Sheard back for the game, but he's idle for his third straight game with the left-knee injury suffered Sept. 22 in Minnesota.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton said Thursday that Sheard has been playing "fantastic'' and that it would be a big boost to have him back. Rookie Barkevious Mingo will start his third straight game in Sheard's absence.

On a brighter note for the Browns, linebacker Quentin Groves is active after missing the past three games with a high ankle sprain. Groves will come off the bench to relieve Paul Kruger and Mingo.

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